Ex-Sen. Gore Turns 85, Salutes Son's Victory

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Sen. Albert Gore Sr. turns 85 today as the father of a vice president-elect with his own place in history.

The elder Gore, who was in the Senate from 1953 to 1971 after a stint in the House, was a leader in the effort to create the interstate highway system and said in a recent interview he was "pretty proud of that accomplishment."

The Gores campaigned across the nation for their son in 1988 when he ran for President, and again last summer and fall.

Commenting on his son's nomination this summer, Gore Sr. said proudly: "I would never want to deny any man, when he holds his baby son for the first time, the right to look at him and think he might grow up to be President of the United States."

Gore was to celebrate his birthday quietly in Washington with the vice president-elect and family.